Hello All,


I use Dogtra 1100's for my two GSD's. I'm interested in a bark collar for my young guy (15mo GSD, Axel) http://leerburg.server294.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=000071 I've borrowed from a neighbor, a basic Petsafe model. This is a poroblem since it stims him when his metal collar hits his water dish or when he gets vocal. (which all GSD's do <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm looking for something that has an adjustable sensitivity control. This way he won't get stimmed for being excited. (when he talks) I did a search and came up w/ http://www.hitecpet.com. They claim "voice recognition & sensitivity adjustments". Just wondering if anyone here has tried the product or can recommend something adjustable.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

...Stephen Creamer

I've had good luck with a Dogtra.

We recommend the Tri Tronic bark limiter. I used to sell the Dogtra collars but got too many complaints. I understand they have made some changes and I just need to take the time to look into it - because I like and use the Dogtra 1200 NC on my own dogs.

If you want some good advice - stay away from these new collars like the one you listed in the post. This is too important and issue and these other collars need to proven themselves first - I would never consider selling them even if they were half the price of the Tri Tronic.

I agree with Ed. Its too important to mess with. You don't want to mess up your dog because of mishaps with the collar.

We struggled with getting a bark collar for our pup. Mid you, I have a FINNISH SPITZ - the king barker of all dogs (known to bark at anything and loud and fast - up to 120 times a minute). And I trained it very lovingly when barking is alright and when its not.

How? - I used a muzzle. Plain and simple muzzle. Using the same principles that Ed shows up in the basic OB video, first I got the pup to understand my "Quiet Down" command. Once I was sure she undertstood the command, I went to work. The muzzle was the correction everytime the command was violated.

Every time she violated the command (and the very first bark post-command will do), I muzzled her for 2 minutes. So if I said "Quiet Down" and she barked once afterward, BAM!! Muzzle-Time.

Command - if one bark comes out - muzzle - two minutes - reissue command. If they make it past two minutes, praise/treat. You may want to start with 30 seconds if your dog is very bark prone.

She's still happy to bark at strangers, squirrels, snakes, or just about anything. Sometime I praise her for barking. But once she gets the "Quiet Down" command - She ZZZIPs it. She doesn't even tuck tail.

Now this is not an easy task to undertake. But, I can attest, it works. Took about 3 month for the dog to be strong at the command. And another 2 to really master it. The key is our consistency. I guess what a bark collar offers is ease of correction and a ton of consistency.

We chose not to use a bark collar because Finnish Spitz can have adverse affects to too much physical correction. It was a lot harder (had to buy three $7 muzzles to make sure one was on hand at all times). But in the end, worth it.

We recently went for our first train-ride. It was full of exciting people and smells and everything. The train broke down after an hour ride and we sat around waiting - The "Quiet Down" command lasted the whole time. Even with the conductors running back and forth trying to remedy the situation.

Note: "Quiet Down" is an English translation of the Chinese command. The word "Down" is not in the command as to confuse the dog with "Down".

If all other bark-collars are not working for you. You might want to fall back on something like this.

- David C